Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.15 pm

1. Minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2008

1.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 15 April were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.

2. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

3. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 28 April 2008

Executive Business – week commencing 28 April

3.1 Members were referred to the draft Order Papers for Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 April. In light of the fact that the Consideration Stage of the Commission for Victims and Survivors Bill was not moved earlier in the day, the Further Consideration Stage and Final Stage could not now be scheduled for Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 April, respectively. The junior Minister, Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson, briefed members on the reasons why the Consideration Stage was not moved. After discussion, Members agreed that the Consideration Stage would be provisionally scheduled for Tuesday 6 May (paragraph 4.2 refers).

3.2 Members were content that the Ministerial Statement proposed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on the Fishing Industry in Northern Ireland would be delivered on Monday 28 April. No additional Executive business was notified for 28 or 29 April.

Committee Business – week commencing 28 April

3.3 The Speaker informed members that a Committee motion to extend the Committee Stage of the Building Regulations (Amendment) Bill was tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel. Members agreed to schedule the motion for debate on Monday 28 April.

3.4 The Speaker informed members that the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures had tabled a number of motions to amend Standing Orders. Members agreed to schedule the motions for Tuesday 29 April.

3.5 The Speaker referred members to a draft business motion to establish an Ad Hoc Committee on Local Postal Services, following the Assembly’s resolution on 21 April. Members agreed the wording of the motion, including the numerical and party composition of the Ad Hoc Committee and the date by which the Committee should report to the Assembly (2 June 2008). Members agreed that the names of Mr D McNarry and Mr PJ Bradley would appear alongside the motion.

4. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meeting on 6 May

4.1 Members were referred to the provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 6 May, along with a notice of forthcoming Executive business. The Speaker reminded members that there would be no plenary sitting on Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May.

Executive Business – Tuesday 6 May

4.2 In addition to Question Time on Tuesday 6 May, members agreed that the Consideration Stage of the Commission for Victims and Survivors Bill would be rescheduled for debate. Members further agreed to schedule the Consideration Stage of the Libraries Bill and the Further Consideration Stage of the Local Government (Boundaries) Bill for Tuesday 6 May.

4.3 Members agreed to schedule a motion to approve a Statutory Rule (Draft General Register Office (Fees) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008). Members allocated no specific time limit to this debate, but anticipated that it would last no longer than 15 minutes.

Committee Business

4.4 There was no Committee business.

Private Members’ business

4.5 Members agreed to schedule the Second Stage of the Carer’s Allowance Bill, sponsored by Mr D McNarry, for Tuesday 6 May. Due to possible pressure on time, members agreed not to schedule any other Private Members’ business.

5. Any Other Business

5.1 The Speaker referred members to a letter from the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment seeking agreement from the Business Committee that he could exchange slots with the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure on the Question Time rota on Monday 12 and Monday 19 May. The Speaker informed members that the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment would be out of the country on Ministerial business. Members agreed to the request.

5.2 Mr K McCarthy raised the issue of the indicated statement from the First Minister and deputy First Minister in relation to the position on the Commission for Victims and Survivors Bill, and queried why the statement was not being made in the House. Mr McNarry also raised issues about the Bill. The Speaker reminded members that these matters would be for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and not for the Speaker

6. Date and Time of next meeting

6.1 Members agreed to meet during the lunchtime suspension at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 29 April in Room 106.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.50 pm.

Lord Morrow

Acting Chairperson